fair catch

American  

[fair kach] / ˈfɛər ˈkætʃ /

noun

Football.

1. a catch of a kicked ball in which the receiver signals that they will not advance the ball and therefore may not be interfered with or tackled.

---

Etymology

Origin of fair catch

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Menon was heard explaining: "We checked for fair catch because we felt it was off the glove but he says it is off the helmet."

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

Since many teams start possessions on their 25-yard line after a fair catch, they often find themselves facing a 4th-and-1 at their own 34-yard line.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

He got to witness Cameron Dicker hit the longest fair catch free kick in NFL history.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2025

Wersching perked up, however, when he saw Derius Davis get interfered with while attempting to make a fair catch.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2024

The Navy quarter tried to make a fair catch, but it slipped from his fingers.

From Bert Wilson on the Gridiron by Duffield, J. W.